Governance

Common Ground Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Since the beginning, we have welcomed input and direction from our community, which now includes people who have participated in our programs, residents of Starksboro and surrounding towns, volunteers, and groups that have rented our site.

Common Ground Center's annual meeting and board election is held each fall and is an opportunity for our community to participate in setting the direction and vision for the organization.

A group of community members meets in Common Ground Center's Common Room.
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Membership

Anyone over the age of 16 who is in agreement with the goals & purposes of CGC and has participated in a CGC program is eligible to be a member. We ask members to put their two cents in -- literally -- at our annual meeting: our current annual membership fee is $0.02.

Board Roles and Responsibilities

The board may have between 5 and 9 members. New members are generally elected at the fall annual meeting, though vacant seats may be appointed by the board in between meetings. The board of directors meets at least four times per year (usually twice in person and twice via conference call).

The board is responsible for:

  • hiring and supervising the Executive Director and/or Co-Directors,
  • providing financial oversight,
  • supporting fundraising efforts,
  • facilitating long-rang visioning and planning processes,
  • participating on committees in cooperation with staff,
  • reviewing and approving organizational policies,
  • ensuring that the organization is in compliance with the law, and
  • ensuring that the mission of Common Ground Center is carried out.

Board Election Process

Read more about our current board of directors.

Board elections are held at the annual meeting each fall. According to our bylaws:

Elections of Directors and Board Vacancies: The Directors shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting. The members shall have the right of cumulative voting. The number of candidates equal to the number of Board vacancies who receive the highest number of votes shall constitute the newly elected Board. The outgoing Board may propose a slate of Board candidates to the membership at the annual meeting. A Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board. A vacancy on the Board, however created, shall be filled by a member chosen by a majority of the remaining Directors. Such person shall serve for the remainder of the vacated term.

Nominations are due at least a week before the annual meeting date.

To nominate someone else, please submit their name, and we will follow up with that person.
To nominate yourself, please submit a brief statement including:

  • Your name
  • Occupation & Affiliation, if any
  • Past involvement in CGC, including programs you've attended
  • Brief bio (75 words or less)
  • What you hope to bring to the board (50 words or less)
  • Contact information

Candidates do not need to be present at the annual meeting to be elected, though attendance is encouraged.

Nominations and candidate statements should be sent to Connor at connor[at]cgcvt.org.

Three members of the Common Ground community sit on a couch as they participate in a discussion at the Annual Meeting.

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